Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill)
Located in the northwest corner of West Lake, Gushan Hill is one of the finest vantage points for views of the lake. On its southern slope are Xihu Tianxiajing (Xihu Tianxiajing scenic spot),…
Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill), Hangzhou · Corey Leopold · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Getting there
- Near Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) bus stop; or take a West Lake sightseeing boat and disembark at Zhongshan Park
- Guidebook rating
- 3 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1135. Open in Google Maps
About Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill)
Located in the northwest corner of West Lake, Gushan Hill is one of the finest vantage points for views of the lake. On its southern slope are Xihu Tianxiajing (Xihu Tianxiajing scenic spot), Wenlan Pavilion and the Zhejiang Provincial Museum. The Xiling Seal Engravers' Society lies on its western side, and on its northern slope stands Fanghe Pavilion, where the timeless story of Lin Bu, the hermit famed for his "plum-blossom wife and crane sons," took place. The pavilion is surrounded by plum trees, making it a prime spot for plum-blossom viewing on the lake.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill)?
Near Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) bus stop; or take a West Lake sightseeing boat and disembark at Zhongshan Park
How long should I spend at Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill)?
Plan on 3 hours for Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill).
Where is Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill)?
Gushan Hill (Solitary Hill) is in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in the East China of China. No. 1 Gushan Road, Xihu District
More places in Hangzhou
Museums and Memorial Halls Tour
Third Selection of Ten Scenes of West Lake
Ten Scenes of West Lake
Qinghefang Historic District
Qinghefang is the only relatively intact old urban district remaining in Hangzhou. Walking through it is like walking through the history of the city. It has been a bustling area since ancient times, and in the Song dynasty, when Hangzhou was the capital, it was literally the “imperial city.” The smooth stone rims of the ancient wells in its lanes hint at its long history. Today, it also embodies the folk culture of Hangzhou: there is so much to eat, do and see, from grand, stately merchant houses to the small stalls of folk artisans.
2–3 hours
Xiling Seal Engravers' Society
Founded in 1904, the Xiling Seal Engravers' Society is the oldest and most accomplished society at home and abroad devoted to the study of epigraphy and seal carving, and is known as the "No. 1 Famous Society under Heaven." Its main buildings include Baitang Hall, Zhuge Pavilion and Yangxian Pavilion, where calligraphy and inscriptions by famous figures are everywhere. The society also houses the China Seal Art Museum, which holds more than 6,000 paintings, calligraphy works and seals from successive dynasties.
Free · 0.5–1 hour
Xixi National Wetland Park
At Xixi, you can glide through the reeds on a sculling boat or stroll along the riverside boardwalks on foot. What's special is that Xixi has preserved its village houses, so even if you're far removed from the ancient way of life, you can still photograph its most original rural dwellings. As the sculling boat drifts lazily along, if you get a sense of having been here before, that's the best part. Picture Ge You in the film *If You Are the One*, sipping Longjing tea on a boat just like yours and savouring the story behind "Xixi, Stay a While."
¥80; sculling boat ¥100/boat/hour; electric boat ¥60; electric shuttle ¥10/person/trip · 5–6 hours